Lori Blewett shares her incredible journey from receiving funding to complete her degree when she needed it the most to how that changed the trajectory of her career. She now serves on the HEAA Board of Directors as a Director. Learn more about her inspiring story.
Question: How did receiving scholarship support influence your ability to continue or complete your degree at Harvard Extension School? What did that moment feel like when you learned you had been awarded scholarship funding?
Answer: When I started my HES journey, I took one class a semester and received tuition reimbursement through my employer. Fast forward three years later, I had a young son with a baby on the way, and I was unemployed. We went from a two-income family down to one. Going back to school should have been the furthest from my mind. But I knew, in the depths of that struggle, earning my Harvard degree was a way to change my family circumstances, provide for my family, and be a role model for my kids.
For someone like me who was struggling to pay a mortgage, bills, and buy necessities like diapers and food, receiving the HES scholarship grant was an unexpected gift when I needed it most.
I had already taken a semester off when I had my first child, and then had to take a year off when I lost my job, even after successfully completing my required courses and being admitted to the program. Yes, times were tough, but this scholarship funding was an affirmation that I belonged at Harvard. They wanted me (I figured, why else would they give me money?), and this was the encouragement and financial help I needed to finish what I started.
Two years later, in 2018, I earned my ALM in Digital Media Design, a graduate certificate in Web Technologies, and the Dean’s List for Academic Achievement Award.
Q: What skills or perspectives from your degree have had the biggest impact on your professional or personal life?
A: I experienced the value of connecting with and learning from others. Being around caring and brilliant people, classmates and instructors alike, from all over the world with varied professional backgrounds, I felt like a better, wiser person just being around them. I was curious about their stories: who they were, why they were taking classes, how they wanted to change the world. Sure, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge and technical skills on how to do my job well, but connecting and learning from others is one of the key ways Harvard Extension School has impacted my professional and personal life.
Q: What does it mean to you to be part of a community that invests in students through scholarship support?
A: I think supporting students financially is in the spirit of why Harvard Extension School was founded in the first place: to make a Harvard education possible. Today, that could mean being accessible for those who are constrained by work hours, distance, or finances. It meant a lot to me and changed the trajectory of my career, and profoundly impacted my life in so many positive ways. I could not be prouder to be part of this community.
Although the scholarship grant did not need to be repaid, I am proud to serve our alumni association since 2018 to pay it forward — first as a Texas Chapter member, then co-chair and chair, and now as a board member for the Harvard Extension Alumni Association.
Q: If you could share one message with donors or supporters who made your scholarship possible, what would you say?
A: I would say a heartfelt, “Thank you.” Thank you for supporting me and all scholarship grant recipients.
Thank you for believing in our potential.
Thank you for rooting for our success with your generosity.
Q: How do you hope your story might inspire other students who are balancing work, family, and the pursuit of education?
A: I hope students who read my story will understand that while this was part of my journey — the challenges and the successes — everyone is on their own journey with different paths, different obstacles, different timelines. “I know the struggle is real, and I know you can overcome what comes your way. I know you can do it. You’re at Harvard after all.”
Thank you, Lori, for sharing your story and for your continued passion to serve the HEAA community.
